Job Description

The procurement manager is responsible for the sourcing and supply of all mechanical aspects of project procurement. They support project procurement activities across RAL Space from the point of the procurement request to the delivery of the item to stores (including management of the stores system). All mechanical procurement is supported, from simple off the shelf items, to complex bespoke designs.

You will be highly motivated, flexible in attitude and have a methodical and careful approach to the work and an understanding and ability to follow procedural steps, to ISO 9001.

You must be customer focused and possess an ability to work safely, both independently and as part of a team, and have the interpersonal skills to organize and communicate work effectively with a range of customers, colleagues and management.

Role and responsibilities include:

• Interface with the project teams, and suppliers to ensuring the timely delivery of quality manufactured hardware.
• Where appropriate, provide advice to projects on manufacturing techniques, materials, and acceptance criteria.
• Build effective relationships with all stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain long term, open, collaborative and commercially robust business relationships with suppliers.
• Ensure the quality of suppliers used by maintaining the database of Space preferred suppliers including core business disciplines, specialties, contact details and any issues experienced.
• Submit project requests to quote and provide advice to projects on your recommendation for which supplier to use.
• Proactively track the status of all open procurements, keeping the project team up to date on progress.
• For complex or urgent items, supplier site visits may be required.
• When visiting supplier sites, highlight any quality issues seen to Product Assurance and work with the supplier to rectify these.
• Support supplier audits when requested by the Product Assurance team.
• Highlight any procurement issues with the project Product Assurance Manager and assist with the resolution.
• Work with suppliers to develop and build relationships to ensure the very best service is achieved due to suppliers being kept informed of the exacting needs of Space and project specific details.

In addition to the above, the individual will be leading the implementation of new procurement processes for the mechanical aspects of project procurement and also oversee the management and development of a new storage system for project hardware and incoming goods. This will involve:

• Creating new procurement policies, processes, and forms for the procurement group.
• Implementing a system that can be utilized by the procurement team and accessed by all of Space to facilitate collaborative working and ensure that information is readily available.
• Working with the Quality Assurance team to ensure these new processes are consistent with our current QMS.
• Implementation of the new procurement processes for the Division.
• Oversee the management of the stores system and partake in irregular inspections of the stores and provide guidance to the stores team members.
• Work with QA and PA to monitor and continuously improve the management of storage and incoming inspections
• Look into software / databases for the stores and assess if fit for purpose and future proofing
• Promoting awareness of the new system to the organization

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A recognized apprenticeship in engineering, with at least a BTEC level 3 qualification in an engineering discipline. Additional experience may be substituted for formal qualifications.
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials.
• An ability to read and interpret engineering drawings including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing.
• Demonstrated proficiency in specialist procurement including buyer governance and policy.
• Full UK driving license
• Authorized to work in the UK
• Available for oversees travel for periods up to one week
• Knowledge of vacuum and cryogenic considerations
• Experience within Aerospace / Space industry
• Strong communication skills
• Knowledge of industrial storage solutions and cataloguing of stored parts
• Proven ability to work under pressure, set priorities and make decisions independently when required and keep stakeholders informed
• Knowledge of post manufacture cleaning processes
• Application for the use of specialist coatings
• Experience with supply chain management
• Proven influencing, problem solving and team working skills
• Knowledge of ISO9001
• A calm, proactive and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Knowledge or 5S / 6S lean processes
• Experience delivering ECSS quality requirements